De Lima: NBI rushing report on Taiwanese fishermen

MANILA, Philippines - Justice Secretary Leila de Lima refused to confirm or deny yesterday a newspaper report that a video the Coast Guard had submitted to the National Bureau of Investigation (NBI) showed Filipino coastguardsmen laughing when the alleged Taiwanese poacher was shot and killed off Balintang channel last May 9.

“The NBI is rushing the report in order to douse further speculation and premature reporting of the so-called findings,” she said.

De Lima said the media should just await the official release of the NBI report.

“In that report we will see the findings and conclusions,” he said.

“Even that video – what exactly is shown there and how it impacts on the conclusion – will form part of the report. Let’s not engage in hypothetical discussion or in any sort of speculation.”

De Lima said the NBI probers and Taiwan investigators will meet again to discuss their separate findings.

The investigations of Filipino and Taiwanese authorities were separate, she added.

They concluded the investigation last Friday and their separate reports are expected to be released this week.

The Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) will remain vigilant against poachers. PCG spokesman Lt. Cmndr. Armand Balilo said the controversy arising from the shooting of an alleged Taiwanese poacher off Batanes will not affect them.

“We will remain vigilant in guarding the country’s territorial waters,” he said.

“This is still the guidance of Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Rodolfo Isorena. Our patrols are to continue, and also our coordination of information, and coordination with local governments.”

Balilo said the Coast Guard is awaiting the findings of the NBI.

“There were eight witnesses initially presented, and yesterday, we presented nine for questioning,” he said.

Meanwhile, the Department of National Defense (DND) hopes the US will continue to support efforts to maintain freedom of navigation in the region.

DND spokesman Peter Galvez said: “We look forward to the continuous and more active role of the US in contributing to the freedom of navigation in the region.”

Galvez was asked to react to US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel’s statement reaffirming commitment to the Philippine-US Mutual Defense Treaty during a meeting with Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin in Singapore last Saturday.

“We welcome the statement of Secretary Hagel, and we look forward to continued warm relations between the two defense intuitions,” he said. “Our main aim is the development of the whole region.” 

Galvez said the DND will welcome any form of cooperation with or assistance from the US.

“Any capability in security that will enhance regional security will be welcomed as we espouse peaceful resolution to the current situation in the West Philippine Sea,” he said.

In an interview on board the missile destroyer USS Hamilton, US Ambassador Harry Thomas Jr. said the US has vowed to ensure freedom of navigation in the West Philippine Sea.

“The United States wants to ensure that the South China Sea is free for the freedom of navigation, free from interference. We oppose economic coercion,” he said.

The USS Hamilton docked in Manila’s South Harbor last Friday on a routine port call.

Thomas said the US has been asking all claimant states to settle the row through negotiations.

“The United States does not take any position on these claims but we very much support a code of conduct between ASEAN and China,” he said. – With Rainier Allan Ronda, Alexis Romero